A campaign is being launched in memory of Wirral businessman Drew Cockton ahead of the anniversary of his death.
The entrepreneur was the owner of the vegan fragrance brand Owen Drew and gained a following after appearing on Dragon’s Den – where he secured a £50,000 investment from Touker Suleyman. Mr Cockton was found dead, aged 36, at his Claughton home on Saturday, October 22 last year, just a few hours after attending the second LGBTQ+ Business Awards ceremony at the Titanic Hotel in Liverpool.
With the anniversary of his death approaching, Mike Skeggs, Drew’s business partner, has launched a campaign to “envelop the world in the gentle embrace of candlelight.” The initiative invites people to light a candle in honour of Drew and the life he lived.
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Mike, a 30-year-old from the Wirral, told the ECHO: “With the anniversary of the loss of Drew approaching, I have taken time to reflect on the incredible seven years we shared together. Our relationship took many different forms, from being romantically together and then separating but building our friendship and business relationship.
“Our shared sense of humour meant we had countless hours of laughter and his wicked wit would leave me laughing to the point of pain, I even miss our constant bickering. Without Drew, I have lost not only one of my best friends but also the person I was building Owen Drew with.
“The world is a lot less fun without him. Running Owen Drew alone was never meant to be in my future and not having that person there to confide in has been very difficult. In the darkest depths of my grief, I try and focus on how blessed I was to have had those seven years together and how lucky I was to have loved and been loved by him. Drew truly was one of a kind and all our lives are a lot less richer for him not being here.”
As a tribute to Drew, Owen Drew is pushing to “flood the world with candlelight” by inviting people at 8pm on Sunday, October 22, to light a candle – be it Drew’s favourite English Lavender and White Linen scent or a tea light – as an act of celebration. The company is also encouraging people to use the #GlowForDrew.
Mike said: “We want the world to glow in Drew’s memory. This is not just a tribute to Drew, but a message of hope. Loss can be a very isolating and lonely path to walk. We want to create a moment that binds us together, illuminated by the gentle flicker of candlelight.”
Owen Drew will be donating a portion of the sales from its English Lavender and White Linen candle to Wirral Mind, a charity that was close to Drew’s heart.
Mike added: “Drew was passionate about getting people to talk about their mental health, he was open and honest about his own struggles with his bipolar in the hope it would give others the courage to speak out about their experiences. The work that Wirral Mind do in our local community was very important to him and he chose to offer his support to help fundraising for them to be able to help people on the Wirral who needed it most.”
Wirral Mind’s CEO Sandra Gilbert told the ECHO: “It has been such an honour working with Owen Drew. Drew was an amazing ambassador not just for Wirral Mind but for all who have experienced mental health difficulties.
“His openness about his own struggles has helped the fight to reduce the stigma and discrimination experienced by people with poor mental health. His lasting legacy and the continued support from Owen Drew Candles will ensure that Wirral Mind’s important work will continue well into the future.”
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